Nigel Clough made three changes to the team that beat Birmingham City on Monday. In came Bywater, Mousinho and Sordell to replace McLaughlin, Murphy and Varney respectively.
John Mousinho was deployed in a midfield role for the first time since his conversion to a central defender two years ago, and he almost rolled back the years when the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box which was met sweetly by the right boot of the Albion captain but his volley was deflected over for a corner.Leeds United probably have the tallest squad on average in the division and they used that to their advantage from set pieces as Bartley won an initial header which fell to Wood who flicked it on to Ayling but his header at the back post only found the side netting.
Jackson Irvine is Albion's top scorer this season, notching ten goals from midfield and the Australian almost made it 11 when he shot on the turn just inside the box but it skimmed off a Leeds defender and into the arms of Rob Green.
HT: Burton Albion FC 0-0 Leeds United
Neither manager made any changes at half time but Albion's first change came on 65 minutes when Michael Kightly replaced Lloyd Dyer.
Again Leeds used their height advantage from a corner as Pontus Janssen made a late run into the box but his glancing header fell just wide of Bywater's left-hand post.
GOAL: The introduction of Michael Kightly lifted the Brewers team and he proved instrumental in Albion taking the lead as he played the ball to Marvin Sordell who had it all to do outside the box but his curling effort landed just inside the left-hand post to make it 1-0.
GOAL: Just two minutes later the Albion lead was doubled as Michael Kightly was played through on goal and the on-loan Burnley man made no mistake it poking it past Rob Green.
GOAL: Leeds cut the deficit three minutes later when Chris Wood's header at the back post was played back across goal where Kyle Bartley was waiting to help it over the line.
Nigel Clough made a double change towards the latter stages in the game as Damien McCrory and Luke Varney entered the field in place of John Brayford and Marvin Sordell.
FT: Burton Albion FC 2-1 Leeds United
Attendance: 6,073
Ash's man of the match: Tom Flanagan